By Tara Murray
Rupertswood made it two from two in the Gisborne and District Cricket Association’s Johnstone Shield District Firsts competition.
Having dropped down a grade in the off season after losing a number of players from their top two sides, Rupo was unsure how they would go this season.
If early signs are anything to go by, they are on the right track.
Rupo captain-coach Andrew Pizaro said dropping down a grade was the right decision for the club’s long term future.
He said he was happy with how they had performed so far.
“I’m ecstatic,” he said.
“With the group that we have on the field at the moment, it’s a really young group, a really new group.
“Dropping down a grade obviously meant we weren’t sure what we were playing against going into the season.
“Most expectations go out the window. You want to get the most out of what you have and go from there.
“We’re not worried about playing finals at this stage, just about the process.”
Rupo made it two wins from as many games, with a strong performance against Eynesbury Eagles on Saturday.
The Eagles started well, before Rupo halted the flow and restricted them to 7-182.
Pizaro said he was happy with that total, which was a lot better than it could have been.
“They were 0-110,” he said.
“I didn’t know about what the rest of their batting was like and was only going on what I had seen the week before.
“Their batsmen past three didn’t perform and were under the pump.
“We thought it we could get one or both of those top guys we would be back on track.
“They were 133 off 20 overs and ended up 182 off 40 overs, scoring only 50 runs off the last 20 overs.”
Paul McGarry took three wickets. Pizaro was full of praise for first-gamer Max Howell and second-gamer Alex Bond.
He said the two 17-year-olds got them back into the game, as did veteran John Lane.
With the bat, Jordan Curran put on a show, making 95. The knock included eight fours and eight sixes.
Pizaro said that sort of performance didn’t surprise him.
“He is a big hitter of the ball and can hit the ball hard from pretty much wherever he wants.
“He has brought the ability to keep out the good ball and not allow himself to get under the pump for long.
“He’s becoming more and more a good all-round batsman.”
Curran’s knock, along with Bert Van Den Heuvel, 47 not out, guided Rupo to 3-185. They made the runs with still 17 overs to go.
Pizaro said they had worked on their batting over the pre-season.
“Most of the things we have concentrated on in the pre-season are showing right away, which is a bonus,” he said.
“We’ve focused on a few different ways with our batting and I hope it continues.”
Rupo is one of three teams undefeated after two rounds.
Other winners at the weekend were Ashfield, Riddell and St Anthonys.
FOR MORE GDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/unbeaten-bacchus-marsh-still-warming-up/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/on-the-road-to-rebuilding-for-eynesbury/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/gisborne-now-two-for-two/
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/still-plenty-to-roar-about-for-sunbury/
